Sports News

Slavia Prague ice hockey player Radek Duda is in hot water for punching a Liberec player after being sent off, and then lying about it on national television. Jiri Dopita's NHL career may not be over after all, and Jaromir Jagr's good form continues. Former tennis international Daniel Vacek has bought Ostrava football club and the present-day Czech tennis team has worries ahead of a Davis Cup clash with holders Russia.

Sports News

Duda in hot water over changing-room incident

The biggest sports story of the week here in the Czech Republic involves the Slavia Prague ice hockey player Radek Duda, who apparently punched a Liberec player in the latter's changing room, after both were sent off during a game last Sunday. Duda, who has a reputation for rowdiness, appeared on television on Monday to deny the allegations, replying with a smile "no, I wasn't" when asked if he had been in the Liberec dressing room. The Czech international, who is Slavia's leading scorer, was proven to have told a bare-faced lie less than 24 hours later, when Liberec released closed circuit TV footage clearly showing him entering the opposing team's dressing room. Extraliga chairman Stanislav Sulc said he had never come across such a case, and Duda is expected to receive a stiff punishment from the league's disciplinary commission.

Dopita may make surprise return to NHL

Jiri Dopita may not after all be finished in the NHL, with reports on Thursday that the Los Angeles Kings are considering signing the 34-year-old forward. Dopita, who is currently training with Czech second-division club Olomouc, was released by Edmonton just a month ago and it appeared then that his days in the sport's top league were over.

Jagr on a roll

Daniel Vacek, photo: CTK

Czech ice hockey star Jaromir Jagr's recent run of good form has been continuing, with two goals and an assist for Washington in their 5:3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. It was the third time Jagr had scored more than one goal in the last 12 days.

Former tennis international Vacek buys Ostrava FC

Banik Ostrava football club has just been bought by former Czech international tennis player Daniel Vacek. Vacek says he has big plans for Ostrava and will not be selling off any players, including Vaclav Sverkos, a 19-year-old striker being touted as the new Milan Baros.

Czech Davis Cup team faces problems ahead of Russia clash

Jiri novak, photo: CTK

Just under two weeks before the Czech Republic's Davis Cup match against holders Russia, there are serious worries about the fitness of Czech number one Jiri Novak. Novak, who was knocked out in the third round of the Australian Open last week, has been struggling with a shoulder injury and has been having difficulty serving. New coach Cyril Suk may have to play in the doubles, meaning former trainer Jan Kukal will have to come out of retirement to sit on the coach's bench. The Czechs first Davis Cup match of the year begins in Ostrava on February 9.

Racing driver Enge makes return after drugs setback

The leading Czech racing driver Tomas Enge has been trying to get his career back on track after being denied last year's Formula 3000 championship when cannabis was found in his blood. Enge has just signed with the Menx team to take part in the FIA's Grand Tourismo competition but before that will take part in the American Le Mans Serie, most likely with the Prodrive team. Enge, who became the first ever Czech to race in Formula 1 the year before last, says he regards the drugs issue as a closed chapter.